Serving Seniors

"Serving Seniors" is a service-learning unit infused within the curriculum. A list of objectives concerning the elderly were matched with existing curriculum objectives so no material was added or deleted in any subject area. The result was 36 lessons to be taught throughout the school year. A time line was developed to ensure coverage of the lessons by months. Three or more lessons per month, such as those concerning the characteristics of the elderly and becoming responsible citizens are taught within a particular class connected with the objective. All lessons or parts can be adapted to meet your time frame. All necessary stories, pages to be made into overheads or duplicated, and a list of craft supplies and party ideas are included in the unit. The unit not only provides positive self-esteem, but makes the curriculum come alive.

Action: Lessons involve letter writing, creating holiday cards, interviews with the elderly, each reading class planning and executing one senior party, and a culminating senior picnic in the Spring in which all students are involved.

Reflection: This is an ongoing process within each lesson through oral or written exercises. A final written prompt and a photo album of the year's activities complete the reflection piece.